*names have been changed*
When this summer rolled around I knew I was going to be living in Italy for three months, but I didn’t have any real plan apart from working as a live-in au-pair. Obviously on its own this would have been a fab experience; but I wanted to travel, meet new people, eat delish vegetarian snacks and in short just say yes to things more. And so I did. One of these things I said yes to, was going on some pretty amazing and some pretty hilarious dates. You have been warned.
Harry
Harry was the main boy and boy number one. By main I mean we actually went on consecutive dates. He was very traditionally Italian, tanned, strong and super cute. This all seems great apart from the small fact that we did not speak each other’s language. I don’t mean this in a spiritual or on a personality level; I mean we LITERALLY could not communicate coherently with each other. On one date we went bowling and I brought my friend along as our designated translator. This was a bad idea. You know when you eat a weird food or have a little habit and you never question it until one of your friends looks at you strangely or turns their nose up when witnessing it? THAT WAS THIS DATE. Really, how bizarre was it that I had been dating a boy who I literally could not speak to? He would pick me up in his car, we’d go for a walk and get some gelato and I would know nothing new about him by the end of the date. We would just shout random English and Italian words at each other; “CIAO” “HELLO” “GOOD??” “SI?” “WHAT?” “NEVER MIND” “BENE? BENE?” “YES UH SI”. How tragic is that? And why did I think it was okay for so long? Who knows, but it’s safe to say that it ended pretty quickly once I told him that he was an awful kisser to his face and he still left the date smiling. That date really was lost in translation.
Louis
Although not everyone’s type Louis was right up my street (initially). We first met in a bar where he offered to buy me a beer in perfect English so naturally I was already on board. What’s better than beer and your native language? Um – nothing! He was a natural talker, one of those people who can just drift into different subjects and be hilarious as if you’ve been friends forever. And did I mention he was right up my street?! He was tall, slim, super well dressed and tattooed – what more could a girl ask for? So I began asking him some questions about himself, something I’d never been able to do with Harry. Already this date seemed far better. However, later on into our date I realised he had a little tattoo on his middle finger on his left hand and in my slightly tipsy state I couldn’t clearly see what it was of. “Oh it’s just a fist, you know, for white supremacy”. I kid you not, this boy could not have been more casual about telling me that not only did he have racist tattoos and that he supported Nazi views and ideologies but that ALL, and I mean every single other person around us, were his friends who also shared those views. I was a little out my depth. I mean a gal can deal with rudeness and arrogance to an extent but this was an experience I was never quite prepared for. It’s clear to say that Louis and I did not meet up for another drink, even after the tried to charm me with his English hate music.
Zayn
Zayn was the one that got away. Zayn was a doctor, and to be honest I can’t tell you much about him because I was on a lot of medication when our romance began in quite an unconventional setting! Basically I went over to Italy and managed to get ill. Zayn was the doctor that treated me and was an absolute honey. I mean this man put Dr McDreamy to shame. He was every level of beautiful and who doesn’t like to be looked after? I was in a wheelchair and attached to an IV drip but a girl can dream, right? Zayn, if you’re reading this now I just want you to know that you can look at my x-rays any day, whatever that means.
Niall
Niall was tall, Russian, muscular, a brunette and masculine. He was typically hot which is not normally my thing. However even after my previous dating disasters I had still been pushing myself to say yes and hoping the next one would be my Italian Stallion, so I went for a drink with Niall when he asked. This then progressed onto another date night where we went to a little spot above the city where you could look down on the night. He brought wine and I played Paolo Nutini and we danced. Like actually danced, over a view of the entire city, whilst drinking wine. I know, tell me about it – absolute dream date. Niall’s downfall was when the evening was coming to an end and I had to return home. He began getting a little sketchy and it was clear he wasn’t happy about me leaving. Luckily I had arranged a meeting point where my host-dad was going to be picking me up. On the way Niall would sporadically lift me. He tried to lead me in the opposite direction a couple of times too, but I stayed firm that I knew where I was going and I wouldn’t go any other way. Niall got pretty mad at this point and the evening took a turn for the worse. It became scary and not a good situation. This was when my host dad came round the corner in his car. On a serious note, do not put yourself in dangerous situations abroad (or at home) and always make sure you have a point of contact at all times and make sure someone knows where you are. Naturally and luckily, Niall was never to be heard of again.
Liam
Lastly to complete the band there was Liam. Liam was an Italian and had a really nice boy next door vibe to him. I met Liam on my last week in Italy, and looking back I wish I had met him earlier. Liam and I met up twice before I left to come home to Scotland. On one of those dates he spilled a Mojito on my shoe and proceeded to try to mop it up with his own shoe, as if I he’d spilled milk on the kitchen floor and couldn’t be bothered to bend down to wipe it. Despite this he was insanely charming. He would compliment my personality rather than my general looks, which I appreciated, because once you’ve been called beautiful by random Italian shop keepers, taxi drivers, gelato makers and bartenders it’s actually nice to hear something new. Reviewing the situation I realise that Liam probably wasn’t the boy for me and I have definitely not left my heart in Italy.
My three months opened my eyes to dating and I will 100% keep saying yes to new things. It also taught me that you can never judge a book by a cover and that sometimes the people you think would be best for you might have a dark side. All in all my experience was fun, strange, awkward and tragic at points but I would highly recommend anyone living in another country to try the same to get to know some people, experience new things and maybe meet your future soulmate. My one warning is to be responsible and just stay safe out there!
P.s. if only it was actually the 1D boys I’d dated huh?